George Rogers & Son London.

[pandapaws]

I have an 85 key, dark walnut Rogers piano: serial number is 43014

I have been led to understand that the serial number 40500 indicates the start of the 1930-1938 production run, which ended with 44000 (44001-45100 indicating 1938-1950).

Is it at all possible to locate the precise year of production of piano 43014 based on the manufacturers' output - or in the absence of such figures - is it a matter of taking a mathematical guess?
I'd be really interested to know if you could shed any light on this- but my current guess es are anything between 1934-8
With grateful thanks,
Pandapaws

[Bill Kibby]

Yes, we usually have to assume level production, and date a piano on that basis. The Rogers lists are available, and show that 43000 would be 1935. However, dating pianos purely by numbers has problems, as explained at
http://pianohistory.info/numbers.html

Your piano was probably made by Kemble, and is probably dated inside. To investigate, you should read my Datemarks page at
http://pianohistory.info/datemarks.html

No original archives are available to look up individual Rogers pianos.

85 notes A-A is the most common range for old pianos.

[pandapaws]

Thanks for that. I do realize that 85 keys was fairly run of the mill for this particular vintage ( I actually wish that it had the full 88) - and will try to follow up your suggestions re: dating this model.
Again - I'm not surprised by the idea that it might have been made by Kemble - since such contracts were common practice in British manufacturing before we (sadly) stopped making quality goods in the UK.
I know that my piano is nothing amazing in historical terms - but I adore so much about the era in which it was made - and most of all - Al Bowlly!

[Bill Kibby]

Jazzmen and others who improvise arrangements may well use whatever notes are there, but even then, there are few occasions when one reaches beyond the 85th note. Most of the classical composers didn't even have 85!

[pandapaws]

Thanks Bill - that is wonderfully reassuring.
You are a positive fount of knowledge - and I think that you certainly have a book or two in you!

[Gill the Piano]

I think that you certainly have a book or two in you!

He does; we're waiting!

[Bill Kibby]

I've given you hundreds of pages for free, isn't that enough?

I wish someone would write me a book on how to get funding for a unique collection of history.